Mount for tractor canopy post



' Nov. 21, 1967 D. L. woora I MOUNT FOR TRACTOR CANOPY POST Filed July15, 1965 Will INVENTOR.

Donald L. Wood United States Patent Office 3,353,852 Patented Nov. 21,1967 3,353,852 MOUNT FOR TRACTOR CANOPY POST Donald L. Wood, Medford,reg., assignor to Concrete- Steel Corporation, a corporation of OregonFiled July 15, 1965, Ser. No. 472,189 13 Claims. (Cl. 287-20) ABSTRACTOF THE DISCLOSURE A post mount including a vertically projectingpedestal securable to a portion of a tractor, a closed end resilientcushioning boot is received over the pedestal and is in turn surroundedby an elongated collar. A post receiving adapted is secured to the upperend of the collar and engages the upper or closed end of the boot. Theadapter includes a plurality of concentric upwardly directed offsetshoulders for the reception of the hollow lower end of a variety ofdifferent sized tractor canopy posts which are to be received on theappropriate shoulder and welded thereto.

The instant invention generally relates to tractor canopies, and is morespecifically involved with the provision of cushioning mounts for theposts thereof.

It is one of the primary intentions of the instant invention to providefor the mounting of a tractor canopy in a manner which is contemplatedto effectively dampen the noise and vibrations normally associatedtherewith during the operation of the tractor, the vibrationssignificantly contributing to the structural failure of the variouscanopy members or joints therebetween.

In conjunction with the above object, it is also a significant object ofthe instant invention to provide for a bolt locking of each post in amanner whereby the bolt itself, while preventing a disengagement of thepost end from the tractor, performs no substantial weight bearingfunctions.

Further, it is a significant object of the instant invention to providefor a post mount wherein a major safety factor is provided in that evenwere the related locking bolt to break, the canopy post would still not,under normal circumstances, disengage from the tractor.

Furthermore, it is an object of the instant invention to provide a mountstructure which is intended to have an extremely long life due to theabsence of direct metal-tometal contact between relatively movableparts. By the same token, normal maintenance is to be reduced to merelyan occasional replacement of the rubber cushioning boots which can bequickly slid into place without the necessity of cutting, welding, etc.

Likewise, it is an object of the instant invention to provide a tractorcanopy mount wherein a slight movement of the canopy is allowed andprovided for so as to effectively absorb shock and correspondinglyreduce the structural stresses resulting from the operation of thetractor.

In addition, an important object of the instant invention resides in theprovision of a mount which is specifically constructed so as to acceptany of a plurality of different size canopy posts so as to provide ineffect a universal mount.

Bascially, the post mount of the invention comprises a verticallyprojecting pedestal secured to a portion of the tractor, a closed endresilient cushioning rubber boot received over the pedestal, anelongated collar surrounding the boot, and a post receiving adapterwelded to the upper end of the collar and engaged with the upper orclosed end of the boot, the adapter and collar forming in effect adownwardly opening socket. The adapter includes a plurality ofconcentric upwardly directed ofl'set shoulders for the reception of thehollow lower end of a variety of different sized tractor canopy postswhich are to be received on the appropriate shoulder and welded to theadapter. In addition, the adapter includes a downwardly directedshoulder which seats the upper end of the collar which is in turn alsowelded thereto, the lower face of the adapter including a central recessso as to insure a proper seating on the top of the rubber boot coveredpedestal. The collar includes a full height slot therein so as to definefree ends which can be selectively rawn together so as to tighten thecollar about the boot covered pedestal, the boot itself including aslide resilient rib projecting outwardly therefrom and being snuglyreceived within the slot, this rib providing a smooth exterior with thecollar and acting so as to both prevent relative rotation between theboot and collar and cushion the adjacent vertical edges of the collar asit clamps on the boot. The actual clamping of the collar about thepedestal cover is effected by an elongated bolt received throughdiametrically opposed openings in both the boot and collar and throughan elongated opening or passage through the pedestal, the pedestalpassage having an enlarged crosssectional area which will accommodatemovement of the collar, and consequently, the canopy post, relative tothe pedestal, to a slight degree, this movement being cushioned by theboot and ultimately limited by the bolt. Further, the lower end of thecollar is spaced upwardly from the base of the pedestal whereby nodirect canopy weight is introduced into the bolt itself with the socketnature of the collar tending to maintain a safe engagement with thepedestal even should the bolt break for any reason.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the mount of the intsant invention andthe adjacent portions of the canopy post and tractor;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on theplane passing along line 22 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged transverse cross-section taken substantially onthe plane passing along line 33 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an exploded perspective view of the various elements of themount;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIGURE 2 and illustratingthe accommodation of a smaller canopy post on the mount; and

FIGURE 6 is a partial exploded perspective view illustrating amodification of the instant invention.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings reference numeral 10 isused to generally designate the canopy post mount comprising the instantinvention, The mount 10 is to be fixed to and project vertically upwardfrom the tractor 12 itself, a small portion thereof being illustrated inFIGURE 1, with the engagement of the mount 10 to the tractor 12 normallybeing effected through a suitable bracket 14, the shape thereofdepending upon the particular portion of the tractor engaged thereby.For example, the angular bracket 14; illustrated in the drawings isparticularly adapted for use in mounting the forward canopy posts on thetractor fenders. The canopy post 16 will of course be engaged with theupper end of the mount 10 in a manner which shall presently bedescribed.

The mount 10 itself includes a solid cylindrical pedestal having a fiatupper end 20 and a flared or enlarged cylindrical base end 22. Thisenlarged base end 22, as will be appreciated from the drawings, inrigidly fixed, as by welding 24, to the mounting bracket 14 which inturn is rigidly affixed, as by welding 26, to the tractor 12 itself.Incidentally, if appropriate, the enlarged pedestal can of course beaflixed directly to the tractor without using the bracket 14. Finally,the pedestal 18 includes a vertically elongated passage 28 diametricallytherethrough at approximately mid-height.

Slidably mounted over the pedestal 18 is a closed end resilientcushioning boot 30, this boot 30 having the closed end 32 thereof seatedon the upper fiat end 20 of the pedestal and the lower open end thereofpositioned in spaced relation slightly above the enlarged pedestal base22.

Further, as will be appreciated from the drawings, the rubber cushioningboot 30 includes an integral outwardly projecting resilient rib 34extending longitudinally therealong for the full length thereof, as wellas a pair of diametrically opposed openings 36 which are smaller thanthe pedestal opening or passage 28 and alignable with the opposite endsthereof.

Next, an elongated split cylindrical collar 38 is snugly received aboutthe cylindrical boot 30 with the slot or slit 40 therein receiving theboot rib 34, this rib 34 being closely received within the slot 40 andprojecting to a point substantially coplanar with the outer surface ofthe collar 38 so as to form a substantial smooth continuation thereof.The collar 38 also includes a pair of diametrically opposed bolt holes42 which align with the boot holes 36 upon a positioning of the boot rib34 within the collar slot 40. In this manner, it will be appreciatedthat relative movement between the boot and collar is prevented, therebymaintaining the alignment of the holes 36 and 42.

Next, a post receiving adapter 44 is fixed to the open end of the collar38 and forms in effect an inverted socket therewith for reception overthe boot 30, the lower surface 46 of the adapter 44 bearing against theclosed top end 32 of the boot 30 while the open lower end of the collar38 is spaced upwardly of the pedestal base 22 and in approximately theplane of the open lower end of the boot 30. The lower portion of theadapter 44 is of a. size so as to be received within the upper end ofthe collar 38 with an integral annular projection 48 being formed abovethe lower end of the adapter 44 and extending outwardly to approximatelythe outer circumference of the collar 38, thereby defining both adownwardly directed shoulder 50 and an upwardly directed shoulder 52.The downwardly directed shoulder 50, as will be best appreciate fromFIGURES 2 and 5, is seated on and welded to the upper end of the collar38. The upwardly directed shoulder 52 is the largest of a series ofconcentric progressively decreasing shoulders 52, 54 and 56, allextending annularly about the upper portion of the adapter. Thesignificance of the progessively decreasing shoulders 52, 54 and 56 isto adapt the mount 10 so as to accommodate conventionally provideddifferent diameter tractor canopy posts 16, this best being appreciatedfrom a comparison of FIGURES 2 and 5, FIGURE illustrating the use of theadapter 44 in accommodating a substantially smaller canopy post 16'.

Finally, in order to lock the various elements together, an elongatedbolt 58 is extended through the aligned holes 28, 36 and 42, the bolt 58having an enlarged head 60 on one end thereof and a threaded nut 62 onthe other end thereof whereby, upon a tightening of the nut 62, aninward flexing of the collar 38 is provided. This inward flexing of thecollar 38 is possible because of the presence of the slot 40 therein,and results in a cushioned clamping of the collar 38 to the pedestal 18with the resilient boot 30 interposed therebetween. With reference toFIGURE 2, it will be noted that the enlarged opening 28 within thepedestal 18 allows for a limited vertical movement of the collar 38relative to the pedestal 18, thereby enabling the accommodation ofslight movements of the canopy Without the introduction of undue stressat the joint. This movement is of course cushioned by the boot 30 andultirnately limited by the bolt 58, no metal-to-metal contact occurringbetween the collar 38 and the pedestal 18 during this movement. Further,inasmuch as the bottom surface 46 of the adapter 44 sits directly on theupper end 20 0f the pedestal 18 through the upper end 32 of the boot 30,the bolt 58 itself does not have to accommodate the weight of thecanopy, this weight instead of being transferred directly to the tractorthrough the pedestal 18. Further, it will be noted that the bottomsurface 46 of the adapter 44 is centrally relieved or recessed as at 64so as to provide for a stable seating on the boot covered pedestal top20. Of particular significance is the factor of safety introduced intothe particular mount so constructed, in that even if for some reason thebolt 58 should break, a positive mounting of the canopy post to thetractor would still be present and would be maintained, under normalconditions, until suitable repairs could be made.

With particular reference to FIGURE 6, it will be appreciated that amodified form of adapter 44 has been illustrated therein, this adapter44 having a generally square configuration, at least insofar as theshoulder forming portions thereof are concerned, for the accommodationof various sizes square canopy posts .16". The adapter 44' will ofcourse be utilized in the same combination of elements as shown inFIGURE 2 in conjunction with the circular adapter 44.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A mount for a canopy post comprising a projecting pedestal, saidpedestal having a fixed end and and a free end, a resilient cushioningboot received over said free end and enclosing a major portion of saidpedestal, an elongated collar encircling said boot, a post receivingmeans fixed to one end of said collar and overlying the free end of saidpedestal, said post receiving means having a plurality of differentlysized offset portions thereon to receive various sized hollow post ends,and fastener receiving aligned apertures through diametrically opposedportions of said boot and collar and the pedestal received therein.

2. A mount for a canopy post comprising a projecting pedestal, saidpedestal having a fixed end and a free end, a resilient cushioning bootreceived over said free end an enclosing a major portion of saidpedestal, an elongated collar encircling said boot, a post receivingmeans fixed to one end of said collar and overlying the free end of saidpedestal, and fastener receiving aligned apertures through diametricallyopposed portions of said boot and collar and the pedestal receivedtherein, said post receiving means including a plurality of concentricoffset shoulders thereabout, said shoulders being forward ly directedrelative to the free end of the pedestal for the selective reception ofhollow post ends of varying sizes.

3. The structure of claim 2 wherein said boot includes a closed endoverlying the free end of the pedestal beneath said post receivingmeans.

4. The structure of claim 3 wherein said collar includes a full lengthslot through the height thereof, said slot allowing for a. slightflexingof said collar.

5. The structure of claim 4 including an elongated resilient ribprojecting outwardly from said boot, said rib being received within andsubstantially filling the collar slot.

6. The structure of claim -5 wherein the boot and collar apertures areof a size so as to closely receive a predetermined size fastenertherethrough, the pedestal aperture being substantially larger incross-sectional area so as to allow for a limited movement of thefastener therein.

7. The structure of claim 6 wherein the inner end of the post receivingmeans includes a recessed central por tion defining a surrounding edgeportion seatable on the closed end of the boot.

8. The structure of claim 7 'wherein said post receiving means includesa collar seating shoulder receiving said one end of said collar, saidcollar seating shoulder being oppositely directed relative to said firstmentioned shoulders.

9. The structure of claim 3 wherein the boot and collar apertures are ofa size so as to closely receive a predetermined size fastenertherethrough, the pedestal aperture being substantially larger incross-sectional area so as to allow for a limited movement of thefastener therein.

10. A mount for a canopy post comprising a projecting pedestal, saidpedestal having a fixed end and a free end, a resilient cushioning bootreceived over said free end and enclosing a major portion of saidpedstal, an elongated collar encircling said boot, a post receivingmeans fixed to one end of said collar and overlying the free end of saidpedestal, and fastener receiving aligned apertures through diametricallyopposed portions of said boot aid collar and the pedestal receivedtherein, said collar including a full length slot through the heightthereof, said slot allowing for a slight flexing of said collar.

11. The structure of claim 10 including an elongated resilient ribprojecting outwardly from said boot, said rib 6 being received withinand substantially filing the collar slot.

12. A mount for a canopy post comprising a projecting pedestal, saidpedestal having a fixed end and a free end, a resilient cushioning bootreceived over said free end and enclosing a major portion of saidpedestal, an elongated collar encircling said boot, a post receivingmeans fixed to one end of said collar and overlying the free end of saidpedestal, said post receiving means having a plurality of differentsized offset portions thereon to receive various sized hollow post ends,and fastener means engaging said collar to said pedestal with saidresilient cushioning boot therebetween.

13. The structure of claim 12 wherein said diiferently sized offsetportions are concentrically arranged and of a radially reduced sizesequentially outward relative to the free end of the pedestal.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,141,919 6/1'915 Auchu 287189.362,199,004 4/1940 Lord 287 2,866,657 12/1958 Duffy 28785 X 3,036,8585/1962 Fingerut 28785 X 3,203,728 8/1965 Wood 24843 X CARL W. TOMLIN,Primary Examiner.

A. KUNDRAT, Assistant Examiner.

12. A MOUNT FOR CANOPY POST COMPRISING A PROJECTING PEDESTAL, SAIDPEDESTAL HAVING A FIXED END AND A FREE END, A RESILIENT CUSHIONING BOOTRECEIVED OVER SAID FREE END AND ENCLOSING A MAJOR PORTION OF SAIDPEDESTAL, AN ELONGATED COLLAR ENCIRCLING SAID BOOT, A POST RECEIVINGMEANS FIXED TO ONE END OF SAID COLLAR AND OERLYING THE FREE END OF SAIDPEDESTAL, SAID POST RECEIVING MEANS HAVING A PLURALITY OF DIFFERENTSIZED OFFSET PORTIONS THEREON TO RECEIVE VARIOUS SIZED HOLLOW POST ENDS,AND FASTENER MEANS ENGAGING SAID COLLAR TO SAID PEDESTAL WITH SAIDRESILIENT CUSHIONING BOOT BETWEEN.